The “Classic” edition of the TGPCHPCMY2KMR starts in Eureka, California and proceeds southward on CA1, the Pacific Coast Highway, the highway for which our bikes were named. This edition has occurred on odd numbered years and, thus, was run every other year: 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015,2020. It will run again in 2021 for the 20th+1 Anniversary Ride.
We will fine tune the itinerary as the ride gets closer. Please register to attend the ride so that I can keep you updated on the latest. And please sign the waiver.
Ride Bulletins:
- People must make their own reservations for motels and campgrounds. We suggest you do it two or three months prior to the ride, or sooner, to insure that accommodations are available. Links to each city we will be stopping in along the way and to a list of accommodations available in those cities can be found in the itinerary below.
- We will have get-together dinners every night of the ride and one luncheon; see the dinner signup sheet on this web site for details – please signup so we can tell the restaurants what to expect.
- We will try to get a group photograph of as many of the riders and their bikes as possible in the Bayshore Mall parking lot in Eureka on Monday morning before we start out. Please try to be there about 8:30AM.
- We will get another group photograph on Wednesday. We will get a picture of the bikes at Pescadero and of the riders at Jim Geary’s (Cowboy Bar & Grill) restaurant. We will go straight from Pacifica south to the SECOND Pescadero Beach parking lot (it’s hard packed gravel) five miles south of the junction of CA84 and CA1. Approximate time will be 11:00AM. We will backtrack to CA84, take CA84 to CA35, CA35 to CA9 and CA9 to Felton for lunch at Jim’s (approximately 12:00PM), and then continue down CA9 to Santa Cruz and then south on CA1 to Monterey where we stop for the night.
- A new liability waiver will be coming soon. All riders, passengers, and participants MUST sign and return the waiver prior to joining the ride. No exceptions!
- ALL COMMUNICATIONS IS HAPPENING AT https://groups.io/g/pacificcoast/ Please be sure to JOIN THAT GROUP and post a message there to let us know you’re paying attention. We’re actively working on planning the final details.
- We have set dates for September 11-19, 2021.
- CALDOT believes the highway through Big Sur will be re-opened by summer.
- TBD.
Itinerary:
September 11-12 (Saturday and Sunday): Gather in Eureka
- Motel for this year: ** Motel 6, 1934 Broadway Street, Eureka, CA, (707) 445-9631
- Gather for dinner Saturday, Woodley Island, Cafe Marina (select Eureka),601 Startare Drive, (707) 443-2233
- Gather for dinner Sunday, Samoa Cookhouse, off Samoa Blvd., (707) 442-1659
- Featured Side Ride: Leave 9AM Sunday, US101S to CA299; CA299E to Weaverville; lunch in Weaverville; CA3S to CA36; CA36W to US101; US101N to Eureka/Arcata – 252 miles (6-8 hours*) – NOTE: We have taken this ride every year – it’s a GREAT ride!!!
- Eureka lodging, restaurants and attractions
- Suggested side ride #2: US101N to CA299; CA299E to Burnt Ranch and back – 122 miles
- Suggested side ride #3: US101S to CA36; CA36E to Forest Glen and back – 166 miles
- Suggested side ride #4: US101N to Klamath and back – 132 miles
From Eureka take US101N to CA299; CA299E to Weaverville; CA3S through Hayfork to CA36; CA36W to US101; US101N to Eureka.
For this ride, you should fill up before you leave. Then stop for gas in Weaverville (last one for a while) and, if you wish, lunch.
September 13 (Monday): Gather at Bayshore Mall for group and bike photos at 8:30AM
- Leave Eureka, CA 9:30 AM
- Head south on US 101
- At CA211 exit turn west onto California Highway 211 toward Ferndale, CA
- Proceed south along the Lost Coast route through Petrolia and Honeydew; rest stop at Honey Dew
- At the end of CA211, pick up the Avenue of the Giants (CA254) (see Leg 1 map for details on this intersection – it’s tricky); rest stop just after entering the Avenue of the Giants.
- Stay on Avenue of the Giants until it joins US101 at Philipsville.
- Gas stop at Garberville – the first and last one for a while.
- Lunch at Garberville; we will stop at House of Burgess, on the left side of the main street. Getti-Up Burger was closed last time.
- At Leggett, CA turn west on CA1, the Pacific Coast Highway; rest stop after reaching the coast
- Arrive Fort Bragg, CA between 4 and 5PM.
- Most popular motel for riders in the past: ** Best Western Vista Manor Lodge, 1100 N. Main St., 800 821-9498.
- Enjoy the scenery
- Distance: 175 miles (6-8 hours*)
- Time for side trips, etc.
- Gather for dinner at The Wharf Restaurant ,32260 North Harbor Drive, (707) 964-4283
- Suggested side ride #1: CA20E to Willits; US101S past Ukiah; CA253W to Boonville;
- CA128W to CA1; CA1N through Mendocino to Fort Bragg – 128 miles
- Suggested side ride #2: CA20E to Willits and back – 60 miles
- Fort Bragg lodging, restaurants and attractions
From Eureka take US101S to the junction with CA211 (Ferndale exit). Take CA211S at the CA211/Ferndale exit. Go through Ferndale, turn right near the end of the main street and then left onto Mattole Road. Proceed on CA211 (Mattole Road) through Petrolia and Honeydew until it joins CA254 above Weott (the junction of Mattole Road and CA254 is tricky; see map and description below). Stay on CA254 (Avenue of the Giants) to the end of it at Phillipsville; then get back on US101S. Continue on US101S to the junction with CA1 at Leggett, CA; take CA1S to Fort Bragg.
As you come out of the redwoods on Mattole Road, go underneath the freeway and turn RIGHT onto the bridge. Go across the bridge and continue STRAIGHT on; that is CA254 SOUTH and the Avenue of the Giants. After you pass through Phillipsville, the Avenue of the Giants runs back onto US101; the distance from the right turn onto the bridge until the end of the Avenue of the Giants is about 19 miles.
September 14 (Tuesday): Leave Fort Bragg, CA 9:00 AM
- Head south on CA 1
- Enjoy the scenery
- Proceed south along the Mendocino coast
- Watch out for the turn where CA1 and CA128 join – CA1 takes a right-angle, right turn across the bridge; this occurs shortly after you go through Albion.
- Rest stop at Gualala
- Lunch at Bodega Bay, The Boathouse, 1445 Highway 1; 707 875-3495, on your right going through town, just before the Candy and Kites store.
- At the junction with Valley Ford Road there is another right-angle, right turn in CA1; watch out for this one as well; it occurs shortly after you go through the town of Valley Ford.
- If you haven’t already gassed up by the time you reach Point Reyes Station you will want to stop here; it’s the last one for quite a while.
- Ride out to Point Reyes Headlands and see the lighthouse (fog permitting)
- Ride one of the curviest sections of CA 1 from Stinson Beach to Mill Valley
- Check out Marin Headlands for a spectacular view of San Francisco and the Golden Gate; the exit is just before you get onto the bridge. This one is not for the faint of heart; the road is steep, narrow and winding. If you get onto the one way section, the down grade probably exceeds 20 percent. There is usually a lot of traffic including tour buses. Please use caution here.
- Cross the Golden Gate Bridge
- Ride through San Francisco on CA 1
- Turn South on CA 1 toward Pacifica
- Proceed to Pacifica, CA; arrive in Pacifica between 4 and 5 PM
- Most popular motel for riders in the past: Nick’s Sea Breeze Motel, 100 Rockaway Beach, 650 359-3903.
- Distance: 220 miles (7-9 hours*)
- Time for side trips, sightseeing in San Francisco, etc.
- Gather for dinner at The Surf Spot, 4627 Pacific Coast Highway, (650) 355-7873.
- Suggested side ride #1: CA1N to CA35; CA35S to I280; I280 to CA92; CA92W to CA35; CA35S to CA84; CA84W to CA1; CA1N to Pacifica – 82 miles
- Pacifica lodging, restaurants and attractions
From Fort Bragg take CA1S into Pt. Reyes Station. At the south end of Pt. Reyes Station, turn right at the signs for Pt. Reyes National Seashore. Continue on that road, through Inverness to the parking lot at the Pt. Reyes lighthouse. Return to CA1 via the same route. Upon reaching CA1, turn right (south) and continue on CA1S into Mill Valley to at T-intersection and stoplight. Turn right and continue on to the junction with US101. Take US101S across the Golden Gate bridge into San Francisco. Turn off US101 onto CA1 about 1/4 mile past the toll gates (bridge toll is $2.00/ $3.00 except during rush hour when it is free for motorcycles). Follow CA1 (19th Avenue and Junipero Serra Blvd.) through San Francisco until it joins with I280S. Turn off I280S onto CA1S at the Pacifica exit; take CA1S into Pacifica.
From Pacifica take CA1N to the Skyline Boulevard (CA35) exit; take CA35S. For about 2 miles, Skyline merges with I280S; take I280S to the CA35/Skyline exit; take CA35S to where CA35 merges with CA92; take CA35S/CA92W to the split with CA35; turn left (south) on CA35 (Skyline Boulevard); ride south on CA35 to the junction with CA84; take CA84W (right) to CA1 and CA1 north (right) to Pacifica.
September 15 (Wednesday): Leave Pacifica, CA 9:00 AM
- Head south on CA 1
- Gather at 10:00AM at the SECOND parking lot at Pescadero State Beach on CA1, five miles south of the junction of CA84 and CA1 for a group photograph of our bikes with the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop; have your cameras ready. We will back track to the junction with CA84 to get to Felton for lunch.
- Be prepared for some fun on the roads to our lunch spot; this establishment is run by one of our own: Jim Geary.
- Gather at 12:00PM at the Cowboy Bar and Grill, 6155 Hwy 9, Felton, CA via CA84, CA35 and CA9; enjoy leisurely lunch; group photograph of the people on the ride; have your cameras ready.
- Enjoy the scenery
- Proceed from Felton to Santa Cruz via CA9 and then on CA1 to Monterey, CA; arrive between 3 and 4PM
- Most popular motel for riders in the past: Cypress Tree Inn, 2227 N. Fremont St., 831 372-7586.
- Distance: 130 miles (4-5 hours*)
- Time for sightseeing in Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur and/or Santa Cruz
- Time for side trips into the coast range; lots of good riding roads
- Gather for dinner at The Salty Seal (was Cooper’s Pub and before that Bullwackers), 653 Cannery Row.
- Suggested side ride #1: CA1N to Santa Cruz; CA17E to Los Gatos; CA9W through Saratoga, across Skyline Boulevard to Felton, Ben Lomond and back to Santa Cruz to CA1; CA1S back to Monterey – 142 or 151 miles
- Suggested side ride #2: CA1S to Carmel-by-the-Sea; G16 through Carmel Valley to G17; G17 west to CA68; CA68W to CA1 and Monterey – 105 miles
- Suggested side ride #3: CA1N to CA156; CA156E to Hollister; CA156N to CA152; CA152W to Watsonville; CA1S to Monterey – 108 miles
- Suggested side ride #4: CA1S through Carmel-by-the-Sea to Big Sur and back – 65 miles
- Suggested side ride #5: CA68E to US101N; through Salinas to CA156; CA156W to Castroville; CA1S to Monterey – 50 miles
- Monterey Peninsula lodging, restaurants and attractions
From Pacifica take CA1S to San Gregorio and the junction with CA84. Turn left (east) on CA84. Proceed 15 miles inland on CA84 to the junction with CA35 (Skyline Boulevard). At Skyline Boulevard, turn right (south) and continue on to the junction with CA9. Turn right (west) on CA9 and proceed through Boulder Creek to Felton and the Cowboy Bar and Grill. We will have brunch at Jim Geary’s Cowboy Bar and Grill. After lunch, we will retrace our steps, back up CA9 to Skyline, left on Skyline (CA35) to the junction with CA84. Turn left (west) on CA84 to the junction with CA1. Turn left (south) on CA1 to the SECOND Pescadero State Beach parking lot. This parking lot is approximately 5 miles south of the junction with CA84 and CA1 and is marked with only a SMALL sign (If you pull in at one with a large sign, it’s the wrong one). We will gather there for a group photograph at approximately 1:30PM. After the photographs have been taken, we will continue south on CA1 through Santa Cruz and Watsonville to Monterey.
From Monterey, take CA1N to Santa Cruz, CA17 to Los Gatos, CA9 through Saratoga, across Skyline Boulevard (CA35), continue on CA9 to the junction with CA236 and either turn into Big Basin Redwoods State Park on CA236 to see the redwoods (adds 9 miles to the trip) or continue on CA9 to Boulder Creek for cornering delights. Continue on CA9 from Boulder Creek, through Felton and Ben Lomond to Santa Cruz, and back onto CA1S and back to Monterey.
From Monterey, take CA1S to Carmel-by-the-Sea and the junction with Carmel Valley Road (County Road G16); turn left on G16; continue on G16 to the junction with G17; turn left on G17; continue on G17 to the junction with CA68; turn left on CA68; continue on CA68W to CA1; turn left on CA1S and continue on to Monterey.
From Monterey take CA1N to CA156 at Castroville, CA156E to CA101, CA101N to junction with CA156, CA156E through San Juan Batista to Hollister, CA156N to the junction with CA152, CA152W through Gilroy and Hecker Pass to Watsonville, CA1S through Moss Landing to Monterey.
From Monterey take CA68E past Laguna Seca Raceway to Salinas and US101; US101N to Prunedale and CA156; CA156W to Castroville and CA1; CA1S to Monterey.
September 16 (Thursday): Leave Monterey, CA 9:00AM
- Head south on CA 1
- Ride through Big Sur and a 74 mile section of curves!
- Rest stop at Ragged Point
- Proceed past San Simeon (gas and lunch available)
- Proceed through Morro Bay (gas and lunch available)
- Go through San Luis Obispo on US 101 (gas and lunch available)
- At Grover City (the name on the map; town name is actually Grover Beach), pick up CA 1 again
- Lunch at the place next door to the old Rusty Pig just below Oceano – it has been under different ownership each time lately…
- Proceed south to Lompoc, CA; arrive between 3 and 4 PM
- Most popular motel for riders in the past: ** Motel 6, 1521 N. H. St., 800 466-8356
- Distance: 190 miles (6-8 hours*)
- Time for sightseeing, side trips, etc.
- Dinner at 7PM at La Botte Italian Restaurant, 812 N. H St., 805 736-8525
- Suggested side ride #1: CA1S to CA246; CA246E to Solvang and back – 53 miles
- Suggested side ride #2: CA1S to CA246; CA246E thru Solvang to Santa Ynez; CA154N to US101; US101N to CA166; CA166W thru Santa Maria to CA1; CA1S to Lompoc – 94 miles
- Lompoc lodging, restaurants and attractions
From Monterey take CA1S through Carmel-by-the-Sea and Big Sur, past San Simeon, through Morro Bay to the junction with US101; take US101S to the turnoff to CA1S near Grover City (Grover Beach) and continue on CA1S to Lompoc.
From Lompoc take CA246E to Solvang and then to Santa Ynez; from Santa Ynez take CA154N to US101; US101N to Santa Maria; take CA166W to the junction with CA1; take CA1S to Lompoc.
September 17 (Friday): Leave Lompoc, CA 9:00AM
- Head south on CA 1 until it runs into US101
- Proceed through Santa Barbara on US101
- At Oxnard, CA exit US101 onto CA 1
- Lunch at the McDonalds just beyond downtown Oxnard; it’s on the left
- Proceed south on CA1 skirting Los Angeles and environs
- Continue on to San Clemente, CA; arrive between 3 and 4 PM
- NOTE: if you spend much time for lunch or other stops, it could be a good deal later because of traffic in the LA area.
- Most popular motel for riders in the past: ** Best Western Casablanca Inn, 1601 N. El Camino, 949 361-1644
- Distance: 209 miles (6-8 hours*)
- Time for sightseeing, side trips and so on
- Gather for dinner at 7PM at La Siesta Mexican Restaurant, 920 N. El Camino Real, 949 498-3094
- San Clemente lodging, restaurants and attractions
From Lompoc take CA1S to the junction with US101; take US101S until CA1 splits off below Ventura and runs through Oxnard. Take CA1S through Santa Monica, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and finally Dana Point. Somewhere just beyond Dana Point, CA1 seems to disappear and become El Camino Real. You can follow El Camino Real right into San Clemente. Please note that the street name changes many times in this section but generally there are CA1 signs and/or street signs that either show the CA1 symbol on them or some reference to Pacific Coast Highway.
* – depending on how fast or how slow you take the curves.
** – these motels will take reservations through the web; for the Best Western Motels use this Best Western link .
What to expect on the ride…
In addition to a week of great motorcycling, wonderful camaraderie, a lot of nice people having a good time, lots of good food, lots of beautiful scenery, you can most likely expect the following during the ride:
Weather:
The weather for three of the past five years has been generally foggy and cool for a good portion of the time. We have had enough stretches of warm, sunny weather to make the issue of clothing problematic. The fog has been high enough, most of the time, not to be troublesome from a visibility standpoint. There was one stretch in 2000 where the fog was heavy, on the deck and drizzly; that was unusual, though. You must be prepared to dress for cool temperatures. The temperature range varied from about 90 degrees F inland to about 45-50 degrees F along the coast. A layered approach for clothing is strongly suggested. We have encountered rain only once, on Tuesday morning during the 2003 ride; if you can, bring some rain gear as well. The rain was little more than heavy drizzle, for the most part, but it lasted a couple of hours and got people wet.
Traffic:
The traffic is generally light except through urban areas.
San Francisco: Going through San Francisco we are, for the most part, going against the heavy traffic.
Los Angeles: For the most part, we skirt Los Angeles and environs on Friday. We are in heavy stop and go traffic for about an hour and a half to two hours. The rest of the time we are right along the coast, the lights are farther apart and the traffic is lighter. The ride right along the ocean is a very pretty ride. It should be noted that not everyone ran into these same conditions; those coming through later hit a good deal more traffic, as I understand it.
Road Conditions:
There have been spots of construction along the way. No significant delays have been encountered from these in the past and, hopefully, in the future.
The Lost Coast section of the road between Eureka and Fort Bragg is very rough and has some spots of packed gravel (the longest was not more than a few hundred feet).
The roads are very twisty and winding (yesssssss!!! – great for motorcycles!!). You need to bring your cornering skills with you and to take it easy if you think the road is getting to be too much for you. There is plenty of time to make our destinations at even a relatively slow pace. Don’t hurry! Take your time and enjoy! Above all, RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE AT YOUR OWN PACE. I can’t emphasize this strongly enough!
Motorcycle Dealers along the way:
- Eureka:
- Pacific Motorsports, 4001 Broadway, Eureka, CA 95503, (707) 443-8031
- Redding:
- Lee’s Honda, 2230 Larkspur Lane, Redding, 530 221-6788
- Ft. Bragg:
- Nearest Honda dealers: Ukiah and Lakeport (both are a considerable distance away)
- Motorsports of Ukiah, 724 S. State. St., Ukiah, 707 462-8653
- Hillside Honda, 460 S. Main St., Lakeport, 707 263-9000
- North Bay Honda, 28975 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa, 707 542-5355
- Pacifica:
- None currently
- Monterey:
- Monterey Peninsula Powersports, 1020 Auto Center Parkway, Seaside, 831 899-7433
- Cycle Stop-Honda, 511 Abbott St., Salinas, 831 424-0008
- Lompoc:
- Honda/Yamaha of Lompoc, 901 E. Ocean Avenue, Lompoc, 805 736-6543
- Coastriders Powersports, 306 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, (805) 543-0354
- ChrisMoto, 787 Francis Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, (805) 440-5366
- Santa Barbara:
- Santa Barbara Motorsports, 6466 Hollister Ave, Goleta, CA 93117, (805) 967-9898
- San Clemente:
- Pacific Coast Highway Powersports, 4110 Lincoln Blvd (Highway 1), Marina Del Ray, 310-450-4643
- OC Motorcycle, 3191 Airport Loop Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, (714) 957-5775
- Huntington Beach Honda, 17555 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach, CA 92647, (714) 842-5533
- Tokyomods , 33155 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675, (888) 457-9403